Flu Uptick in Oakland County: Where to Get a Flu Shot

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – Public health officials in Oakland County are encouraging residents to get flu shots if they haven’t already after a recent uptick in flu cases.

The spike isn’t unusual, George Miller, director of the Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement.

“While we are currently seeing an increase in flu activity, it is not uncommon for flu cases to peak at this time of year,” Miller said. “This season’s vaccine is well matched to circulating viruses and it is not too late in the season to get protected by a flu shot.”

Flu shots will be available at Health Division offices in Pontiac at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, and Southfield at 27725 Greenfield Road from Noon – 8 p.m. Mondays and 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Walk-in clients are welcome.

The flu shots cost $25, and payment options include Visa, MasterCard, some health insurances, Medicare, and/or Medicaid (no checks or money orders).

The high-dose flu shot recommended for those 65 years and older is $37 and is covered by Medicare.

Vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and infants are at greater risk of contracting the flu which can be a life-threatening illness. Those who live, work or interact with higher-risk populations should get the flu vaccine in order to protect those who are more susceptible.

The Health Division recommends that individuals 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu every year. This year’s vaccine protects against Type A H1N1, H3N2, and two Type B strains which are most likely to occur this season.

The flu usually occurs suddenly and can cause mild to severe illness and sometimes lead to death. Symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

Flu can spread to others up to six feet away by droplets circulating when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. A person may also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has a flu virus on it and then touching their own eyes, nose or mouth.

To avoid this, the Health Division recommends washing hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Below, our “Sickweather” map scans social networks for illness indicators, allowing you to find the people with colds, flu and fever. Sickweather is like “radar for sick people.”

Cold viruses are always with us. Flu season occurs in the winter. Flu outbreaks can happen as early as October and as late as May. Click on common cold, flu or fever to see each map. Select national view to see a five-day heat map of reported ailments.